Project Description
This project delivers a work-readiness training program for women in regions with strong employment opportunities in the forestry and wood products industry.
The program identifies key entry-level skills and defines cross-sector micro-credentials aligned with national qualifications.
These micro-credentials provide the essential skills needed for career entry. They can be completed as a single program or as a series of stackable modules, offering flexible pathways into industry employment.
Timeline
July 2024 – June 2027
Lead Organisation
Led and delivered by TAFE Gippsland, with support from Timber Training Creswick and TAFE NSW
Contact
Paul Clerks
Manager and Education Projects | TAFE Gippsland
pclerks@tafegippsland.edu.au
Kaye Tyter
Workforce Development Manager | ForestWorks
ktyter@forestworks.com.au
A Work-Readiness Program to Support Women’s Entry into Industry
This project is developing and piloting a work-readiness training program for women, delivered through stackable micro-credentials. The program develops practical, transferable skills to support career entry and strengthen pathways into industry roles.
A key feature of the project is its focus on work readiness rather than narrow job-specific skills. Work readiness refers to the transferable capabilities required to participate effectively in the workplace with support and supervision, even before achieving full competence in a specific role.
The program also offers a flexible training format that combines live online sessions, self-paced learning, and optional support, informed by insights from similar projects for women.
This approach makes the program suitable for women entering the industry through various operational and entry-level pathways.
The pilot is led by TAFE Gippsland, with support from TAFE NSW and Timber Training Creswick.
Why it matters
The forestry and wood products industry offers many entry-level opportunities, but new entrants need clear, supported pathways to build confidence, capability, and awareness of industry expectations. This project addresses this need by identifying the core skills required for successful workplace entry and participation.
This shifts the focus from narrow job preparation to broader workforce participation. By building transferable, cross-sector skills, the project supports women entering the industry in exploring different pathways and pursuing further training and nationally recognised qualifications.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Key Insights
Consultation revealed that, despite sector-specific technical requirements, a consistent set of foundational skills is needed across forestry and timber processing. These core work-readiness skills include communication, teamwork, workplace health and safety, environmental responsibility, problem-solving, digital literacy, and practical reading, writing, and numeracy.
Another key insight was the need for consistency across related FWTP projects. Analysis for this project was conducted alongside Projects 2 and 11 to maintain alignment in the proposed work-readiness micro-credentials, while tailoring delivery to different learner groups.
Proposed Training Model – Two Streams
The proposed training model includes two streams to reflect the range of industry pathways and provide targeted entry points for participants. In both streams, the micro-credentials offer stackable learning to support progression into nationally recognised qualifications.
Forestry operations stream
This stream supports entry into forestry-related roles. Its modules have been updated from those originally proposed for Projects 2 and 11 to broaden applicability to more learner cohorts. Refinements include adding Modules 3 and 4 to expand relevance and incorporating timber and wood product information through the unit FWTPCOT3302 Assess and provide timber and wood products information in Module 1 to strengthen foundational industry understanding.
Timber processing stream
This stream supports entry into timber processing and manufacturing environments. No changes were made to the original modules proposed for Projects 2 and 11, as the existing design was considered suitable for pilot testing.
Employers interested in participating in the pilot or shaping the final training model are encouraged to get involved.
For questions or to express interest in participating, please contact the Project Lead, Paul Clerks, pclerks@tafegippsland.edu.au.
Expressions of Interest – Now Open
Women’s Work Readiness Training Program
Registrations are now open for a free, nationally recognised training program for women pursuing careers in the forestry and wood products industry.
This program supports women entering the industry by offering stackable micro-credentials that build the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to enter the workforce.
Learning is modular and stackable, allowing participants to earn credit towards nationally recognised qualifications.
Training is delivered primarily online through trainer-facilitated sessions, with access to industry mentors and guest speakers.
The program is funded by the Australian Government under the Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP) and delivered by TAFE Gippsland, with support from TAFE NSW and Timber Training Creswick.
How to participate
To participate, complete and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 26 June 2026. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email with details about the review process and next steps.
Please note:
- This program is only for Australian residents who are currently residing in Australia.
- Submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee enrolment or that the course will run.
- Places are limited and will be allocated until funding is exhausted.
For project or pilot enquiries, contact Paul Clerks (Project Manager, TAFE Gippsland) at PClerks@tafegippsland.edu.au
Why join this program?
This program helps women feel prepared, connected, and ready for work. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Build practical, job-ready skills
- Learn in a supportive, women-focused environment
- Connect with female mentors and industry networks
- Gain nationally recognised Statements of Attainment
- Explore pathways to real jobs in a sustainable, growing industry.
What the program offers
The program, delivered through stackable micro-credentials, supports the development of:
- Essential knowledge of the forestry and wood products industry
- Awareness of career pathways across the sector
- Workplace communication and teamwork skills
- Understanding of safety, health, environment and quality procedures
- Practical readiness for forest operations or timber production roles.
Select the stream that aligns with your career goals
Forestry Operations Stream
This stream develops foundational knowledge and workplace readiness for forest operations roles and includes two modules:
Timber Production Stream
This stream is designed for those interested in timber processing and production, and also includes two modules:
Module 1: Industry Awareness
- Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry
- Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood product industry
- Develop knowledge of the forest and wood products industry
- Assess and provide timber and wood product information
Module 2: Workplace Readiness
- Follow environmental protection procedures in forest and wood products operations
- Follow workplace health and safety policies and procedures in forest and wood products operations
- Follow quality and product care procedures in forest and wood products operations
Module 1: Industry Awareness
- Develop knowledge of the forest and wood products industry
- Apply knowledge of timber properties, sawmill operations and sawmilling equipment
- Access and provide timber and wood product information
Module 2: Workplace Readiness
- Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry
- Apply safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations
Who is this program for?
This program is for:
- Women living in regions with forestry and wood products employment opportunities
- Women entry-level job seekers
- Women trainees
- Women considering a career change.
Delivery method – flexible learning
The program supports flexible participation and practical industry knowledge. Delivery includes:
- A 12-week program
- Weekly facilitated online sessions of 2 hours
- Alternating Tuesday and Thursday sessions
- Sessions run from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and are scheduled to accommodate participants in different states and time zones
- Industry virtual tours
- Access to industry mentors and guest speakers.
The project is in its early stages. Initial planning and engagement activities are now underway. More details about project activities and progress will be shared here soon.
Employers interested in participating in the pilot or shaping the final training model are encouraged to get involved.
For questions or to express interest in participating, please contact the Project Lead, Paul Clerks, pclerks@tafegippsland.edu.au.